Jason Hammel (6-5, 3.13 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs (58-48) take on Chris Heston (11-5, 3.24 ERA) and the San Francisco Giants (59-48) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the first of a four-game series at Wrigley Field. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 6 and can be seen on CSCh and CSBy.
Hammel pitched 5.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run, striking out four and walking two in a 4-1 win over the Brewers. Anthony Rizzo (.294, 60 Rs, 21 HRs, 63 RBIs, 14 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. Heston went 4.2 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out two and walking two in a 9-7 defeat to the Rangers in his last outing. Buster Posey (.332, 56 Rs, 16 HRs, 75 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Giants, going 3 for 5 yesterday.
Chicago is a -118 favorite against San Francisco and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is currently unavailable. The Cubs have an overall money line of +99 and a record as the favorite of 39-28. Chicago is an impressive 6-2 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Cubs are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 278. Chicago is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 72 bases. Crossing over to the pitching staff, the Cubs are the third-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.19 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, San Francisco has a 27-20 record and an overall money line of +507. Offensively, they average five runs per game on the road, which is the best in the NL.
The Cubs have a 44-39 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Heston takes the mound. Hammel (RHP) will be on the hill against the Giants, who have a 45-39 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – ChC
Notes
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs’s last 5 games.
Chi Cubs are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Chi Cubs’s last 23 games at home.
Chi Cubs are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs’s last 5 games when playing San Francisco.
Chi Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing San Francisco.
Chi Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against San Francisco.
The Cubs are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded five strikeouts. The Giants have a record of 18-16 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Giants are 5-32. The Cubs have a 13-35 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 20th in home runs, San Francisco has hit 93 this season. Chicago ranks 15th with 97 home runs.
San Francisco tops the league in hits with 9.44 per game this season. Chicago ranks in the top half at 14th with 8.08.
Ranking 24th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.691). San Francisco ranks in the top 10 at sixth with an OPS of .743.
The Giants are 27-33 when they allow at least one home run. The Cubs perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 26-31 record.
